History of the Flanders Poppy and a Cupcake Liner Poppy Craft for Kids

The red Flanders Poppy (also known as the Memorial or Remembrance Poppy) is recognized internationally as a symbol of Remembrance for all veterans who have served or died serving their country.

 

The idea behind the Flanders Poppy came from Miss Moina Michael, an American teacher, who was inspired by the late Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem:

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

~John McCrae

John McCrae is believed to have written the poem on 3 May 1915 after the death of his friend in Flanders Fields (Belgium) during WWI.  Miss Moina was so moved after reading the poem that she campaigned tirelessly for the red Flanders Poppy to become a universal symbol.  In 1920, the American Legion adopted the Flanders Poppy and agreed to use the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance.

CUPCAKE LINER POPPY CRAFT FOR KIDS!

Materials needed:  4 miniature red cupcake liners (per craft), one straw or craft stick (stem of the poppy), glue sticks, one yellow button (per craft) and a black permanent marker.

Invite the children to create by placing all the supplies out on a tray or table.  Demonstrate how to flatten each of the 4 cupcake liners for the children.  Have the children flatten and arrange the cupcake liners into two rows of 2 (see photo above).  The children can slightly overlap the cupcake liners and glue together to resemble a poppy.   For the stem, have the children glue a craft stick or staple a straw to the back of their poppy craft.  The children can add the yellow button and use a black marker for the poppy’s center if desired (see photo).

The poppies are an easy craft to accompany a basic introduction of Memorial Day for children.  While young children may not yet comprehend the significance of Memorial Day, as parents and teachers we are “planting tiny seeds” of knowledge that will grow as they do!

For more Memorial Day and Patriotic Activities for Kids, please visit our PATRIOTIC board on Pinterest!